THE Tories&#x2019; leader in the Welsh Assembly last night said parties were informally discussing forming a coalition government after next May&#x2019;s election.

Nick Bourne&#x2019;s comments in a television interview are the most explicit public disclosure yet about the possibility of a power-sharing deal between the Opposition parties.

He pointedly refused to rule out serving under a Plaid Cymru First Minister in a hung Assembly, despite senior Plaid figures refusing to contemplate being junior partners to the Tories.

Mr Bourne insisted there had been no talk of &#x201c;divvying up&#x201d; Cabinet jobs ahead of the election.

He told ITV Wales&#x2019;s political programme Waterfront: &#x201c;There are discussions going on, of course there are, on an informal basis between parties about what is going to happen after the next election.

&#x201c;The idea of divvying up jobs I think it&#x2019;s just not on. I categorically, absolutely deny there&#x2019;s any suggestion of that amongst opposition parties.&#x201d;

The Tories, Liberal Democrats, Plaid and independent AMs have united to vote-down the Labour administration since it fell into a minority at the last General Election.

Asked if he would be part of a Plaid-led government, Mr Bourne said: &#x201c;First of all the most important thing is to get Labour out.

&#x201c;Let&#x2019;s see what the arithmetic is first of all.&#x201d;

Mr Bourne played down the accusation that his party was split on the future of the Assembly.

Despite initially opposing devolution, the Tories now say there should be a referendum on giving full law-making powers to Cardiff.

Mr Bourne said: &#x201c;It&#x2019;s not a question of how the grass-roots vote. We are committed to having a referendum on additional powers.&#x201d;

Tory AM and MP David Davies told Waterfront there was &#x201c;nothing wrong with trying&#x201d; to form a coalition.

Labour and the Lib Dems have denied reports they have already agreed to revive their pre-2003 Lib/Lab government next year.

A Welsh Labour spokesman said: &#x201c;The only way to ensure the Assembly Government shares the same principles as the people of Wales &#x2013; of investment in public services and job creation &#x2013; is by voting Labour.&#x201d;

A Welsh Lib Dem spokesman said: &#x201c;All politicians in all parties talk about policies on an informal basis.

&#x201c;Uniquely, Welsh Lib Dems can&#x2019;t agree any deal with any party or parties without the endorsement of members in Wales.&#x201d;